Training/Education: I started dancing when I was three. I graduated magna cum laude from the University of New Mexico with a B.F.A. in Dance. There, I was exposed to great artists and many different styles of flamenco. Afterwards, I left to study in Madrid, Spain. In Madrid, I studied with El Ciro, Belen Maya, Rafaela Carrasco, and Manuel Reyes, among others. When I returned, Maria Benitez invited me to join her flamenco company in Santa Fe. I danced with her for four seasons, three as a soloist. After that, I started touring with Carlota Santana’s company in New York.

My “Aha!” moment with flamenco was the very first time I saw it in Lydia Torea’s studio. In the 1960s, Lydia was a star soloist with Jose Greco’s Spanish Dance Company. It was through her that I first saw and started taking Spanish dance. My mom was late to pick me up so I watched the next class while I waited. It was a private lesson and the student was dancing beautifully; she had incredible expression and spoke volumes with her body. I had never seen anyone move with such intention.

After she finished the solo she was working on, Lydia gave her corrections to someone standing behind me in the lobby. It was the girl’s mother. She was translating Lydia’s comments into sign language. The dancer was deaf.

In that moment I was set on this course that has unfolded throughout my life. I was introduced to the realizations that true dance is so much more than technique – it is a language that transcends words through movement. That rhythm is felt and shared with all our senses. That dance is a visceral expression of what it is to be human, and can expose a person’s spirit in a way words cannot. This is a vital characteristic of flamenco.

Flamenco encourages individuality over uniformity. Although there are group choreographies in contemporary flamenco, at its most traditional, it is a dancer, singer and guitarist creating art together. I saw this in my first glimpse of flamenco. It is what continues to inspire me today. In flamenco I am inspired by the ability to express myself with my entire being.

Last year, I was in Seville, Spain, from August to December, where I danced in the cuadro of José Galván, a prominent dancer in Spain. He gave me the opportunity to perform in the Peña Torres Macarena, the oldest flamenco peña in Seville. It was an honor to dance with him. I plan to return to Spain in late April to continue to work with him.

Current Projects: Julia is one of the featured artists in the upcoming concert, “Caminos Flamencos, an Evening at Taliesin West,” April 20and 21, from 7–8:30 p.m.

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]]>http://latinopm.com/arts-culture/rincon-del-arte/a-language-of-movement-16581/feed0No place like home – for inspirationhttp://latinopm.com/arts-culture/rincon-del-arte/no-place-like-home-for-inspiration-16269
http://latinopm.com/arts-culture/rincon-del-arte/no-place-like-home-for-inspiration-16269#commentsTue, 05 Mar 2013 00:32:01 +0000http://latinopm.com/?p=16269

Mourning Love, all rights reserved by artist veronica verdugo-lomeli

Background: I was born May 12, 1966, in Montebello, California, and raised in West Phoenix. I currently reside in Tolleson. I’ve been married almost 23 years and have three teenagers. I am the assistant production manager of the art department at the West Valley View newspaper in Avondale.

Sometime in my teenage years I became interested in art, I loved to draw and would stay up all night long drawing. I was inspired by lowrider arte and murals. Also, when I was very young, I watched my dad sketch out characters for fun, maybe thats why I thought I could draw. I grew up listening to my dad and uncles play and sing songs in Spanish that had very passionate lyrics. They motivated me to express a similar passion in my art. When I hear music, especially the guitar, I’m always moved to start drawing or I get an idea for a painting.

Training: In many respects, I consider myself a self-taught, mixed-media artist because of my lack of fine arts training and continual experimentation. In the early 1990s, I attended Platt College in California, a private commercial art school. I’ve been involved in this kind of art production professionally since then; I’ve worked with ad agencies, manufacturers, printers and publishers. However, I have gained a lot from organizations like Xico Arte y Cultura in Chandler and Art League West in Avondale because of the demos and workshops they put on for artists and members. I also learn from my artist friends by taking part in events together. I mostly paint with acrylics on canvas, but I love mono-silkscreening, murals and wood-burning.

Career Highlights: In 2004, I did two tribute paintings: The Verdugos, (my dad and uncles playing their guitars) and Cati Lomeli (my father-in-law, a mariachi, playing his violin). I painted these for my kids as a reminder of our family heritage and musical culture. That really set me on the path to painting more consistently. I started placing my work in art festivals and galleries and I haven’t stopped since. In 2012, I was invited to be one of the “Phoenix Fridas,” an art collective of diverse female artists inspired by the triumphs and tragedies of the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

Influences on your work:My art is greatly influenced by Hispanic culture and my family background. Many of my paintings feature portraits of musicians and folklórico dancers and Dia de los Muertos images using bold and vivid colors. When it comes to personal themes, I’m inspired by the images of Frida Kahlo, and religious themes are also very present in my work.

Future plans and professional goals: I plan to complete and exhibit new work by the end of this year. New in my art are themes of baseball players, inspired by my husband and sons and their passion for the game.

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]]>http://latinopm.com/arts-culture/rincon-del-arte/no-place-like-home-for-inspiration-16269/feed0New directionshttp://latinopm.com/arts-culture/rincon-del-arte/new-directions-16041
http://latinopm.com/arts-culture/rincon-del-arte/new-directions-16041#commentsTue, 05 Feb 2013 22:32:55 +0000http://latinopm.com/?p=16041In January of this year, Ricky Araiza was appointed as the new Artistic Director for the bilingual theater company, Teatro Bravo. He hopes to bring the same energetic leadership to the organization as his predecessors, Fernando Tesón (2010-2012) and Guillermo Reyes (2000-2009). In addition to fulfilling Teatro Bravo’s mission to produce both new and classic works of theater that deal with the Latino experience in the U.S., Araiza also faces the challenges of an ethnic theater company trying to keep afloat in difficult economic times with their attendant drop in support for the arts. Araiza intends to pursue creative fund-raising and innovative management strategies. Currently under consideration by the board of directors is a plan to collaborate with Phoenix’ Black Theatre Troupe (BTT) on artistic and educational projects, while sharing BTT’s new facility on Washington Street.

Recently, Ricky shared some stories and background data with LPM.

Education/training: I attended St. Catherine of Siena in South Phoenix. I went to Brophy College Preparatory for high school on work-study and graduated in 2000. I got my B.A. in Theater from Arizona State. I also studied physical ensemble-based theater at Dell’Arte International in Blue Lake, California.

Career highlights: Every show that I do has its own special highlights that I share with the entire cast and crew. However, I think one of the biggest and scariest moments I experienced was when I performed in front of First Lady Laura Bush and the power went out in the middle of the show. Thankfully, it came right back on just as the next sound cue was about to start. Nobody even noticed.

Why did you pursue this career? I love the theater and I love storytelling. I feel that what I do is God’s work. Theater is just another way to show people what it means to be human.

Influences/inspiration: There are so many. I will say the main ones have been John Leguizamo, Frida Kahlo, Julie Taymor, French cinema, Charlie Chaplin and the Marx Brothers, just to name a few.

A theater director you’d like to meet: Julie Taymor – her imagination just astounds me.

There will be a fundraiser performance of American Victory by José Zárate, directed by Guillermo Reyes, on March 8 and 9 at 8:00 pm at the Black Theatre Troupe Performing Arts Center, located at 1333 E. Washington in Downtown Phoenix. $12 admission; $10 seniors and students

Contact: Teatro Bravo 602-258-1800

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]]>http://latinopm.com/arts-culture/rincon-del-arte/new-directions-16041/feed0A folk/modern mezclahttp://latinopm.com/arts-culture/rincon-del-arte/a-folkmodern-mezcla-15872
http://latinopm.com/arts-culture/rincon-del-arte/a-folkmodern-mezcla-15872#commentsWed, 02 Jan 2013 21:38:10 +0000http://latinopm.com/?p=15872Background: I was born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1987 and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. My mom went to school for art and my dad has always been creative, so growing up I received support to pursue art. As a kid, I drew a lot and was heavily influenced by cartoon shows and video games. When I was 13 years old, I got into skateboarding and that became my life throughout my teenage years. Skateboard deck graphics and skateboard magazines filled with amazing illustrations inspired me to do similar kinds of work. I became interested in illustration and design in college. I got more immersed in that field through working various graphic design positions. While pursuing a degree in graphic design, I became involved in the art community and did a lot of live art at events. In 2006, I had my first art show at the Gallery Celtica, followed by others in galleries in downtown Phoenix. More recently, I’ve displayed my work at Phoenix Design Week events, booths at Phoenix Comic Con, and remain active in the Chicano art community. Currently, I do illustration and design freelance and, when I’m not working, I love spending quality time with my beautiful wife and four-month-old son.

Career Highlights: I graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor’s in Graphic Information Technology from Arizona State University. My first big design commission was from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix. At that time, I also had my first big-time freelance gig with Houston rapper, Chingo Bling, for whom I did some really cool illustrations. Of the many art shows I participated in, the most noteworthy include the Deck Show in 2009 at Bragg’s Pie Factory, A Failed Entertainment group show at the Monorchid in 2011, showings at the ALAC and Xico galleries, and being part of the Phoenix Pedal Craft events in 2012.

Description of my art: My work is very illustrative with gritty line work, vibrant colors and Chicano-related themes. I enjoy drawing typography, portraits, motorcycles and comics. I’m very passionate about social issues, especially involving la Raza, so I tend to make very strong statements with that kind of work. However, I try to keep some of my other work light-hearted, like comics, because you can’t take life too seriously! I use traditional methods such as drawing, inking and painting, and do as much work as I can by hand. I feel that’s important because I’m able to apply my unique style to whatever it is I’m doing.

Sources of inspiration: I’m really influenced by my culture and upbringing as a Mexican-American. The music, food, imagery and artistic traditions of where I’m from impact my work greatly. I take a lot of inspiration from Mexican muralists, lowrider arte, hand-painted signs, vintage design and vintage motorcycles.

Future plans: To do what I love doing more and to keep making a living doing so! I plan to work with awesome new clients, do more art shows, get my work published and keep educating and inspiring others through my work, especially my son.

Established and emerging artists will work alongside community members on the Phoenix Art Festival’s community mural. Above, artwork by some of the artists participating in the mural painting or as art vendors include (clockwise from top right): “Transposition,” by Rafael Navarro; “El Domingo,” by Armando-Adrian Lopez; “Cuervo in the Desert,” by Martin Moreno; a young muralist in the making; a work in progress by Lalo Cota; “La Máscara,” by Monica Crespo; and “Frida Dorada,” by Gennaro García

Our friends at the Phoenix Center for the Arts are revving up for the inaugural Phoenix Festival of the Arts, the municipality’s first signature arts festival. The free, family-friendly, three-day arts extravaganza will take place in the heart of downtown Phoenix at Margaret Hance Park, December 7–9, 2012.

As of press time, over 80 local artists had signed up to participate in a collective, community mural; all are invited to join-in, pick up a brush and contribute to the “mural of the ages” – no experience required. Visitors can also enjoy live performances, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, and beer and wine gardens.

Pedro E. Guerrero, art photographer and “chief visual interpreter” of the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, passed away on September 13, 2012, at his home in Florence, Arizona. He is survived by his wife, Wright scholar Dixie Legler Guerrero, and three children.

Guerrero, who served as Wright’s personal photographer during the 1940s and 1950s, established himself as an internationally-acclaimed architectural photographer. He also captured the lives and work of sculptors Alexander Calder and Louise Nevelson. He documented his experiences in the memoir, Pedro E. Guerrero: A Photographer’s Journey (Princeton Architectural Press, 2007).

At the time of Mr. Guerrero’s passing, we were preparing a brief about Suzzane D. Johnson’s documentary, Pedro E. Guerrero, Portrait of an Image Maker (Gnosis, Ltd., 2007; available at gnosisltd.org/store). The film includes candid interviews with Mr. Guerrero, family, friends and critics. According to Johnson, “The documentary speaks of a role model whose story makes a contribution to overcoming stereotypes, segregation and societal obstacles.”

Leonor was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She has been with Ballet Arizona since 2001. Joining her in the costume shop are: Luz Ruiz-Ortiz, costumer and tailor; Alejandra Sainz and Catalina Cano-Dominguez, seamstresses; Manuela Zavala, tailor; and Flor Arce, footwear artist – all of whom are from Mexico. The team is charged with sewing, creating, altering, dyeing, cutting and fitting all the costumes and toe shoes for each and every dancer, as well as arranging all the wigs and make-up for every Ballet Arizona production.

Career highlights:Bachelor’s degree from the University of Puerto Rico; attended the University of Barcelona, Spain, through a student exchange program at New York University where I received my Master’s degree with a specialty in Textile and Costume Design; costuming for Puerto Rico’s PBS station for over 25 years; costume manager for all period-themed commercials filmed in Puerto Rico; costume manager for the Warner Brother’s movie, La Coquito; costume manager for Telemundo’s Angelica mi Vida, filmed in Miami, New York, Puerto Rico and Los Angeles.

Most challenging production: Ib Anderson’s Topia. The idea was to create the image of a Greek nymph; the goal was to bring out the naturalness of the body while making the dancers look sublime and ethereal. The reason it was so hard was because all the costumes had to be hand stitched, so that the draping on each female dancer was unique to their body. The men’s costumes were also tailored to each of their bodies in order to simulate nudity, while remaining elegant. Another challenge was that the costumes needed to look fragile and delicate to the audience, but strong enough to endure the rigorous dancing. Each costume had to be hand washed, carefully steamed and repaired after every performance.

Prima ballerina and proud Latina, Natalia Magnicaballi, stars in the role of Giselle.Performances: November 1–4 at Symphony Hall in Phoenix. Tickets start at $26 and are available at balletaz.org.

Tell us about the conceptualization and design process:First and foremost, you have to understand the vision of the artistic director or choreographer. The costumes are part of the toolkit that they utilize in order to transmit their interpretation to the public. Then, one has to take into account the movements and bodies of each dancer in order to make them feel and look comfortable when they dance. Lastly, one has to have extensive knowledge of the properties of textiles and colors.

Your favorite Giselle costume? The Willis (vengeful female spirits who haunt the forest by night), because they are ethereal spirits that need to float and convey a sense of immateriality. This ballet is a fantastic trip that takes to you to a dimension somewhere between the real and the spiritual.

How did you become interested in fashion design? I first became interested in fashion while attending the New School for the Arts and Academics (NSAA) in Tempe. It is an environment where creativity is encouraged. I have always been interested in many different art forms, but fashion is where I have found my passion.

Education and training: My training has been in the fashion classes at NSAA with instructor Martha Pena. I have also taken sewing classes at a local bridal shop. I have been blessed to have the support of so many people who have helped to create opportunities for me to reach my potential. I have shown several collections at fashion shows organized at NSAA.

Describe your designing process: I become inspired by many things that are often quite random. I have been known to sit, sketch and design for hours. After a design concept is completed, I begin the design with muslin fabric to create the pattern for the fabric I will use to complete the design. It sounds simple enough, however, it is quite an involved process to create a quality garment. There are always a few butterflies in my stomach when I present a garment to the public for the first time.

Influences, inspiration for your latest collection: I am currently inspired by returning to the glamour of old Hollywood with a modern touch for today’s women.

A fashion designer you want to meet? The designer I would like most to meet, at this point in my career, is Karl Lagerfeld. I would love to sit down with him and get his insider’s perspective on his amazing journey through the fashion world. He is so accomplished and creative, and has definitely left his mark on fashion.

Future plans and professional goals? My goal is to continue designing and to create a career for myself dressing women and making them feel beautiful. I am planning to attend the FIT program in Milan, Italy, to study couture design after I graduate from high school at NSAA. I look forward to showing my creations at the New York and Paris fashion weeks.